A Winchester man has been disqualified from driving and banned from drinking alcohol after failing to comply with a breathalyser test.

Neil Armstrong, of The Paddock, Itchen Abbas, pleaded guilty to failing to provide a specimen for analysis while in police custody in Bournemouth on December 23 last year after it was suspected that he attempted to drive a car while over the legal limit.

Poole magistrates ordered that the 44-year-old must abstain from drinking any alcohol for a period of 60 days. During which time he'll have to check in with a responsible officer and undertake rehabilitation activity for a minimum of 20 days.

Armstrong has also been disqualified from driving for 29 months. However, the bench agreed this could be reduced to 29 weeks if he completes an approved course by October 12, 2023.

He'll have to pay a surcharge of £95 to fund victim services and a further £85 to the Crown Persecution Service. The grand total of £180 is due by April 15.

Magistrates said his guilty plea was taken into account while imposing the sentence.

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Kimberley Barber